The federal Liberal convention in Montreal, which starts Thursday night, will be an opportunity for both the public and the party to take stock of Justin Trudeau’s first year as leader. Here are five things to watch:

1. The Senate gambit

Trudeau took even his own party by surprise when he decided to oust the Liberals’ 32 senators from caucus last month. So far, everyone has rallied around the move – or at least refused to criticize it in public. But the convention may show how the party faithful really feel about: a) losing some of their most well-known and experienced representatives in caucus; and b) Trudeau taking the decision to oust his senators without consulting anyone outside a very close group of advisers.

Delegates will be asked to retroactively approve the decision in a symbolic vote, which is expected to sail through. Still, there’s a chance some cracks and grumbling will emerge, either on the convention floor or in the corridors. Meanwhile, some of the ousted senators have said they will not attend the convention, in part because they don’t want to be a distraction. Others will show up anyway.

2. The Policies

Earlier this month, Trudeau said the party’s focus at the convention would “almost entirely be on economic issues.” The Liberal caucus has proposed a range of policy resolutions that could form the skeleton of an election platform: simplifying the income tax system; limiting interest rates; setting aside more money for infrastructure projects; and lowering the age of eligibility for Old Age Security from 67 back to 65.

Other segments of the party have also proposed expanding the Canada Pension Plan, and creating a National Energy Strategy.

As much as Trudeau and his team want to keep the focus on the economy, some tricky social issues also are on the agenda. A resolution on legalizing prostitution disappeared last month, but two different resolutions on physician-assisted death must be debated and voted on. Trudeau has danced around the issue in recent months, but also promised during his leadership campaign to listen to the party when it came to policy.

3. The Presidential Race

Trudeau has gone a long way to solidify his hold over the party by appointing close friends and advisers to key positions. This has created an inner circle whose power, influence and tight-knit character were evident in the decision to purge senators from the Liberal caucus.

Now Trudeau has the potential to extend his grip to the very top of the party executive if Anna Gainey is elected party president on Saturday. The president is responsible for making sure the party machinery functions well. That means fundraising and membership, both of which are already priorities for Trudeau. Gainey was a member of Trudeau’s leadership team, while her husband Tom Pitfield is an old friend (Pitfield’s father, Michael Pitfield, was clerk of the Privy Council when Trudeau’s father was prime minister). Gainey’s only challenger is Brian Rice, vice-president of the party’s British Columbia wing, a long-shot to win.

4. The General

The Liberals will trot out some of the stars they’ve recruited to run in the next election, in an attempt to show the party has fresh blood and substance. But one will capture a disproportionate amount of the spotlight, whether he likes it or not: retired lieutenant-general Andrew Leslie. The general, now an adviser to Trudeau, says he did nothing wrong in claiming $72,000 from taxpayers for relocation costs and real estate fees associated with moving from one part of Ottawa’s most expensive neighbourhood to another when he retired two years ago. The party argues he’s the target of a Conservative smear campaign, and the Liberals are using the controversy to solicit donations from supporters.

But that hasn’t made the situation go away. Leslie will face questions the moment he appears in public this weekend, and Team Trudeau will be under pressure to make sure the controversy doesn’t become a distraction.

5. The Conservatives

Trudeau and the Liberals aren’t the only ones hoping the convention gives them a leg up for the 2015 election. Documents leaked to the Toronto Star last week suggest the Harper Conservatives are planning to disrupt the gathering and undermine Trudeau’s credibility. This includes “gimmicky ideas” such as giving out ZigZag rolling papers with Trudeau’s face on them, but also highlighting controversial policy proposals (which would probably include physician-assisted suicide) and any signs of disunity (which would probably include any debate on ousting Liberal senators from caucus). The documents say the Conservatives have also put together a communications blitz that will include online messages, websites and the creation of an “anti-Trudeau supporters’ list” who could be hit up for future donations and support.